Skinny: Despite losing Al Horford for the season in December, Atlanta has remained in the middle of the playoff pack. The Hawks have a $5.3 million Disabled Player Exception, which could be used to acquire a player whose contract does not extend beyond this season. Their most intriguing piece is Teague, whose production has tailed off since the first two months of the season. Teague has a manageable contract ($8 million per year through 2016-17) and has caught the eye of at least one team. The Knicks reportedly have interest.

Skinny:Celtics president Danny Ainge -- an Executive of the Year candidate for the haul of draft picks he has secured for Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Doc Rivers and, most recently, Jordan Crawford -- has been very active. The Celtics aren't shopping Rondo, but he's not off the table, either, with one GM saying the star point guard could be had "for the right offer." Ainge refused to include Green in a discussed deal for Omer Asik in December. But he seems to have soured some on Green, whose inconsistency has befuddled many in the organization. Several rival executives said Boston is overvaluing Bass and Green, insisting on a first-round pick in any deal. Humphries' expiring $12 million contract is appealing, but Celtics coaches have been happy with Humphries -- a good soldier despite limited playing time early in the season -- and prefer to let the contract come off the books at the end of the season. If Boston lowers its demands for Bass or Green, either could go. The Celtics would love to dump Gerald Wallace, whose constant griping in the press has irritated coaches and the front office. But Wallace's contract (two years, $20.2 million after this season) makes him virtually untouchable (in the bad way).

Skinny: Much like the Knicks, the Nets lack the draft picks needed to make a significant deal. Yahoo Sports reported that the Nets are discussing a deal that would send Jason Terry and Reggie Evans to the Kings for Marcus Thornton. Teams have shown interest in Bogdanovic, a 2011 second-round pick who has drawn comparisons to Peja Stojakovic, but the Nets have shown no indications that they are willing to deal the Croatian prospect. The Nets could use some help on the front line -- Kevin Garnett has been a surprisingly effective center, but there are a lot of miles on his tires -- but they simply don't have the assets to get it.

Skinny: Count the Bobcats -- who have not made the playoffs since 2010 -- among the most active teams. Charlotte is exploring "every available option" for perimeter help, according to one executive who has spoken to the Bobcats recently. That includes Philadelphia's Evan Turner, as ESPN.com reported last week, and Orlando's Arron Afflalo. Charlotte has two big expiring contracts in Gordon ($13.2 million) and Sessions ($5 million) and is believed to be willing to absorb a bad contract to acquire an impact player.

Skinny: Hinrich has generated the most interest, according to league sources. Several contenders, including Golden State, have inquired about the veteran guard on an expiring contract. However, rival executives believe that with Chicago in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race the Bulls are unlikely to deal Hinrich, if for no other reason than the further gutting of the roster could deepen the divide between coach Tom Thibodeau and the front office. Trading Luol Deng last month enabled the Bulls to slide under the luxury tax line, so there is no urgency to move payroll. The Bulls' next big decision will likely come this offseason, when they will have the option of using the amnesty clause on Carlos Boozer.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images

The Cavs took Dion Waiters No. 4 overall in 2012, but struggles have led him to be placed on the block.

Skinny: Recently deposed GM Chris Grant was aggressively looking to upgrade the roster before he was let go, rival executives said, though the combination of high demands and a lukewarm feelings toward the Cavs' young pieces limited discussions. A source familiar with the Cavaliers' thinking said that owner Dan Gilbert has been determined to make a major move to pair Kyrie Irving with another star, though that deal may not be available before the trade deadline. The Cavs still have a solid haul of first-round picks --as many as five over the next three years -- that could be used in a blockbuster deal this summer. Moreover, the Cavaliers' five-game winning streak -- coupled with the emergence of No. 1 pick Anthony Bennett as a regular in the rotation -- could make Gilbert more inclined to ride the rest of this season out with his young players. Worst case: The Cavs wind up back in a loaded lottery, where the type of difference maker they sought last year could be available.

Skinny: CBSSports.com reported that the Mavericks were among the teams looking to make an offer for Kevin Love, but Minnesota is unlikely to move its franchise player before this summer. Dallas would like to add a defensive presence to improve its 22nd-ranked defense. Owner Mark Cuban desperately wants to add a second star to pair with Dirk Nowitzki the next few seasons, but that player may not be available until the offseason, at the earliest. At this point, it appears likely Dallas stands pat.

Skinny: Rivals have ratcheted up the calls to Denver as the Nuggets sink deeper in the Western Conference standings. Miller -- banished since last month after a confrontation with coach Brian Shaw -- is available, though several rival executives said they believe Denver will ultimately release Miller after the deadline. It's unclear how available Faried is -- the Knicks have long been interested -- but despite his dip in production Denver doesn't appear inclined to auction him off. Miller is gone one way or another, but that may be the only deal Denver ultimately makes.

Skinny: Detroit has tradable assets in the expiring contracts of Villanueva ($8.6 million) and Stuckey ($8.5 million) and a burgeoning talent in Monroe. Team sources insist that Monroe will not be auctioned off just because the Monroe-Andre Drummond-Josh Smith frontcourt has struggled; it will take "an overwhelming offer," according to a source, to pry the 23-year old power forward away. Detroit is willing to part with Smith, but he's virtually untradable in the first year of a four-year, $54 million contract. The Pistons badly need perimeter help and are believed to like Turner. With owner Tom Gores -- the driving force behind coach Maurice Cheeks' ouster, according to a source -- demanding results, Detroit may be willing to offer the kind of draft compensation the Sixers are insisting on for Turner.

Skinny: The Warriors are looking for bench help -- the midseason acquisition of Crawford and MarShon Brooks from the Celtics has had a negligible impact -- and have two trade exceptions ($9.8 million, $4 million) to dangle. There is a high level of interest in Barnes -- and there has been friction between Barnes and Andre Iguodala this season -- but rival executives believe it will take an enormous offer to pry Barnes away from Golden State. Former Warrior Jack is available, but Golden State, which moved several big salaries to sign Iguodala this offseason, is unlikely to have the pieces needed to make a play for the reserve guard.

SI Now: Teams to watch as NBA trade deadline nears

On Friday's SI Now, Sports Illustrated senior writer Chris Mannix discusses the NBA trade deadline and says the Detroit Pistons are a team that could potentially move a quality player like power forward Greg Monroe.

Skinny: The Rockets would still prefer to deal Asik, the disgruntled center who has repeatedly requested a trade after being relegated to a backup to Dwight Howard. But teams simply are not willing to swap a first-round pick or a valuable young asset for a limited offensive player with a $15 million balloon payment coming next season, the final one on his deal. One rival executive said the sense he was getting was that Houston intended to keep Asik through the end of the season. Motiejunas has also asked out, and several teams -- including Boston and Dallas -- have expressed interest. Point guard Jeremy Lin is available, but a similar $15 million balloon payment next season has generated little interest in a player most teams see as a solid backup. Still, Rockets GM Daryl Morey is one of the league's most aggressive executives; it's hard to see him sitting out this trade season.

Skinny: Indiana effectively made its deadline deal earlier this month, signing free agent center Andrew Bynum. He will make his Pacers debut in a week or two and fortify Indiana's front line behind Roy Hibbert. Despite outside concerns about George Hill -- whose numbers have dipped this season -- the Pacers do not seem inclined to make a run at Toronto's Kyle Lowry or Denver's Miller, preferring to protect their coveted team chemistry. The Pacers have been actively shopping Granger's expiring $14 million contract, but because of the team's unwillingness to absorb any contract that extends beyond this season -- which would compromise the ability to re-sign Lance Stephenson -- it's looking more likely that Granger, who is having his best month from three-point range (39.1 percent in February), stays put through the end of the season.

Skinny: The Clippers have prioritized bench help, with a backup big man at the top of the list and a $2.6 million trade exception they are ready to use. Philadelphia's Spencer Hawes, an offensive-oriented center, is enticing, but the Sixers asking price (believed to be a first-round pick) may be too steep. LA has dangled Dudley as trade bait, but the $8.5 million he is owed the next two seasons limits interest. The Clippers are another team expected to go hard after any veterans let go after the trade deadline.

Skinny: The Lakers have insisted that draft picks be included in any deal involving Gasol. While it's unlikely Gasol will return to Los Angeles next year, the Lakers have little interest in just cap relief. Hill is available and has been discussed with the Nets. In fact, most of the roster can be had, as long as the returning contracts don't compromise the Lakers' cap flexibility this summer.

The Grizz are aggressively looking to move Tayshaun Prince (right) and also willing to deal Tony Allen.

Skinny: The Grizzlies have been shopping the underachieving Prince hard, multiple executives said, and are not asking for much in return for a player owed $7.7 million next year. Tony Allen -- whose offensive limitations irk some members of the organization -- is also believed to be available. The wild card is Randolph, who has a $16.5 million player option for next year. Memphis made a commitment to win this season when it acquired guard Courtney Lee from Boston last month. But with the Grizzlies on the outskirts of the playoffs and looking light years from title contention, teams have been calling about Memphis' big guns. With Marc Gasol and Mike Conley virtually untouchable, the 32-year-old Randolph is generating interest.

Skinny: Thursday's deadline means little to the Heat; Miami doesn't have many assets it wants to move and is happy with a team that has won two straight championships. The real deadline is March 1, the last day players can be waived and still be eligible for another team's postseason roster. The Heat are expected to scour the scrap heap for veteran help again. Miami could make a minor deal to move a salary off the books and get closer to the tax line without significantly changing the roster.

Skinny: Injuries have decimated the Bucks' lineup, though it's fair to wonder how many wins this roster could pick up fully healthy. The Bucks have a cornerstone player in rookie Giannis Antetokounmpo, a defensive menace in Larry Sanders and a solid playmaker in Brandon Knight. Other than that, there are holes everywhere. Neal would prefer to play for a contender -- the Bucks reportedly are looking to move him to one -- while Ilyasova, whose production has diminished this season, also reportedly wants out. With Milwaukee committed to Knight and Nate Wolters at point guard, Ridnour is available. In full rebuild, the Bucks are willing to take on a long-term contract for the right player. GM John Hammond struck gold with Antetokounmpo and the hope within the organization is that pairing Antetokounmpo, Sanders and Knight with a high draft pick will put the Bucks back in the playoff mix quickly.

Skinny: The clock is ticking on Love's contract, and Wolves management knows it needs to upgrade the roster to have any chance of keeping him beyond 2015. However, the big contracts Minnesota handed to Love, Nikolai Pekovic and Kevin Martin have limited the team's flexibility, which could lead to only cosmetic changes this season. Barea -- who publicly clashed with Love last month -- is available. Orlando's Jameer Nelson and Cleveland's Jack could be on the Timberwolves' radar.

Skinny: With a roster full of long-term contracts, New Orleans' options are limited. The Pelicans are looking to move one of their high-priced guards -- Gordon or Evans -- before the deadline, a rival executive said. Backup guard Austin Rivers can be had for a future first-round pick. Before suffering a neck injury in January, Ryan Anderson had been perhaps the most sought after player on the roster. The Pelicans are in the precarious position of being bad but not having a first-round pick to fall back on; that pick will convey to Philadelphia, provided it falls outside the top five. Pierre Jackson, a D-League star whose rights belong to New Orleans, has generated interest from teams looking to fortify their backcourt.

Skinny: The Knicks continue to leak out laughable trade rumors (Iman Shumpert and Amar'e Stoudemire for Rondo! Shumpert for Kenneth Faried! J.R. Smith for Andre Miller!) that have little hope of coming to fruition. Why? With no movable first-round pick until 2018, the Knicks don't have the sweeteners teams are insisting on. And New York's reluctance to part with any more first-round picks or rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. makes any significant deadline dealing unlikely. As for Carmelo Anthony, he's not going anywhere.

Photo: Alex Trautwig/Getty Images

The Thunder are looking to make a deal, but are unwilling to part with any pieces of their young core.

Skinny: The Thunder have been looking for perimeter help -- a source said Chicago's Dunleavy is high on the list -- to bolster the bench for the postseason. Oklahoma City has two trade exceptions ($6.6 million and a $2.3 million), though realistically the Thunder are unlikely to bring back a big salary, so as not to exceed the luxury tax threshold. Oklahoma City is unwilling to break up its core -- which includes burgeoning star Reggie Jackson -- in any deal either, not with Russell Westbrook back in the lineup this week. Unless GM Sam Presti can poach an end-of-the-rotation player on the cheap, expect the Thunder to wait and see if any veterans get bought out after the deadline.

Skinny: Several executives believe reports that Orlando wants to keep Afflalo are a smokescreen; the Magic are still motivated to move the veteran guard, who is owed $15 million over the next two seasons. Interest in Davis, who is owed $6.6 million next season, has been minimal. Nelson is available but with only $2 million of his $8 million salary next season guaranteed, the Magic may elect to hold on to him until the offseason. Like most rebuilding teams, Orlando covets draft picks in any deal.

Skinny: The Sixers have made it clear: If you are willing to include a first-round pick, either Turner or Hawes is available. In the case of Turner, the price could lower closer to the deadline. He is a restricted free agent this summer and Philadelphia is not inclined to pay big money to Turner, who is shooting 28.8 percent from three-point range. Young is also available but the price is believed to be steeper. Philadelphia won't take on any long-term contracts, making any deal tricky.

Skinny:A rebuilding season has become a probable playoff season, making Phoenix surprising buyers at the deadline. Okafor offers enormous value for his $14.5 million expiring contract, 80 percent of which is expected to be covered by insurance. The Suns need a legitimate post presence to complement their dynamic up-tempo attack -- Pau Gasol and Randolph have been discussed -- and GM Ryan McDonough has said he is willing to use the haul Phoenix's collection of draft picks, which could include as many as four in this summer's loaded draft, to upgrade the roster. Still, one executive who has spoken to Suns officials said Phoenix is reluctant to move a pick in exchange for a short-term fix.

Photo: Ron Hoskins/Getty Images

The Blazers are interested in adding another big body, but would prefer not to part with CJ McCollum.

Skinny: The Blazers were interested in acquiring another big body before the postseason, and that was before Joel Freeland went down with a sprained MCL. But despite Portland's surprising success the Blazers possess few young pieces -- pieces they are willing to part with, that is -- expiring contracts or future first-round picks. Portland officials have publicly said they expect this to be a quiet deadline; privately, there are no indications that's a smokescreen, either.

Skinny: The Kings -- at the behest of new owner Vivek Ranadive -- have already been aggressive, acquiring maligned forward Rudy Gay, who has been effective. Ownership is high on Rondo, but lack the assets to poach the All-Star point guard.The Kings reportedly are talking to the Nets about acquiring the Nets' Terry for Thornton. Fredette, who isn't expected to be re-signed this summer, is available, and Sacramento would love to add a veteran playmaker to reinforce a young backcourt. Out of the playoff picture, Kings coaches would prefer to give playing time to the young core to develop continuity for next season.

Skinny: The Spurs have been aggressively pursuing wing help, with rival executives identifying Philadelphia's Turner as a top target, as USA Today reported.Kawhi Leonard's recent injury spotlighted San Antonio's lack of depth -- Green, who has also been injured, has seen his numbers slip from last season -- and league sources said the Spurs have ramped up the effort to acquire depth before the deadline. It's unclear who San Antonio is willing to part with; the core, which includes Leonard, is off the table, and the Spurs recognize the value of Tiago Splitter alongside Tim Duncan. There are plenty of wing players available --Turner, Ilyasova, even Bass, just to name a few -- so expect the Spurs' phone lines to be busy right up until the deadline.

Skinny: Expected to be in the lottery, Toronto has been a surprising success story, riding some tough defense and an All-Star-level season from Lowry to the top of the Atlantic Division. Rival executives said the Raptors' desire to deal Lowry has diminished in recent weeks, as Toronto solidifies its spot in the playoff field. GM Masai Ujiri has already shed Toronto's worst contracts (Andrea Bargnani, Rudy Gay) so there is no sense of urgency to move anyone else.

Skinny: The Jazz are bad, but they want to be; a high draft pick to put next to dynamic rookie Trey Burke would hasten the rebuilding process. Jefferson is available, but Utah's flurry of moves last offseason -- including acquiring Jefferson -- was done to create cap flexibility this summer, when Jefferson, Andris Biedrins and Brandon Rush come off the books. It's unlikely Utah will take on a long-term salary unless it fits into future goals. Several teams, including Boston, have expressed interest in Hayward, though the feeling is that Utah prefers to wait until the draft before making any decisions on Hayward's long-term future in Utah.

Skinny: The Wizards have actively pursued a backup point guard, with Denver's Miller and Milwaukee's Ridnour at the top of the list. Sacramento's Fredette and Orlando's Nelson are expected to be considered, too. Washington would love to add an impact big man -- the front office is high on Detroit's Monroe -- but it's unlikely it will have the pieces needed to satisfy Detroit. With a strong desire to move up in the East, though, expect the Wizards to aggressively pursue a deal.